I've patterned my thoughts very similar to the pyramid idea. Whereas I am now in education as a more student on the path to taking an English Linguistics degree that will provide a higher level in my educational standards I don't expect to the degree to gain me the respect, work and print.

I call my system "Writing Credits" whereby everything you publish in the public domain (thats seen by many) published without fee in magazines, entered in competitions that wins any sort of prize or even mentions in other peoples work for editing and help gives you "writing credits" which is your C.V. for the future.

This pyramid scheme of being noticed in the long run through careful planning is the way to do things unless you are exceedingly lucky.